Allan is an anomaly. Most 'shredders' don't have anything near his command of overlapping modes and harmonic substitution. He is not really a traditional jazz player, yet he's the closest to Coltrane I've ever heard. His 'outside' playing is always very musical, at least to a jazzer it definitely is.
@@modularmuse Which track on two drink is best example? Krantz is certainly funkier. But not many would say he's more like Coltrane. His lines are broken, not as fluid. His playing is more compact. I hear him pretty much stick to the standard mode, and very little chord changes. I'm seriously wondering if you're joking. What you describe is not what I hear.
I was a 15 year-old drummer and brought home Tony William’s “Believe It” album waiting to be blown away by Tony-then I heard Allan Holdsworth for the first time. It was life changing. The sound was so new-waterfalls of notes seemingly drawn from the heavens. It was almost frightening. I think I played air guitar to the insane “Red Alert” and “Fred” solos a thousand times. I asked a talented guitar player friend of mine if this guy was truly that great. He listened...and lost his mind, too. I’m sure this scenario has been repeated a million times. I can’t believe he’s gone.👍
Though Holdsworth hated his early stuff, you should hear (you probably have) his playing in a somewhat standard "group of that era context." I think his solo is maybe top 3 I've ever heard and frankly, a bit better than most of his much later stuff.
For you younger folks, you can't possibly imagine what is was like around 1975 when Allan appeared. He played things no other guitarist had ever played, it was completely stunning.
Once you’ve accustomed the ear, there’s no sense of any form of noodling. Rather there’s a deep sense of melody and contrary to what some think it’s filled with feeling.
in '74, he blew most players away in any genre, imo. Was McLaughlin playing this well in '74? who??? VH got a lot of his legato inspiration from Holdsworth and I'd bet 99.9% of VH fans never heard of any Allan Holdsworth. He was just amazing.
@Andy Butler As guitar innovators I agree. John McLaughlin and Larry Coryell were really the first guitar innovators of the fusion/modern jazz era, with McLaughlin more influenced by Coltrane's "sheets of sound" and bridging rock (i.e. "fusion") with this new exploratory sound in the late '60's. And of course Frank Zappa and Jerry Hahn also in that early mix. That's my take anyway on what were probably Holdsworth's guitar influences. But I really give McLaughlin and Coryell big kudos as the modern jazz/fusion guitar innovators that influenced most all modern jazz and fusion guitar players that followed - Pat Metheny, John Abercrombie, John Scofield, Terje Rypdal, Toto Blanke, Jan Akkerman, Daryl Stuermer, Steve Howe, Al DiMeola, Jukka Tolonen, Frank Gambale, etc. Probably the most adventurous "pure" jazz guitar innovators that led to McLaughlin and Coryell, that come to mind were Barney Kessel and Jim Hall for modern harmony and substitute/alternative scales and Tal Farlow for speed/technique. Though Holdsworth certainly took it to a whole new level and will forever be one of the true unmatched giants. Beyond having the cleanest technique among the "shredders," I think his advanced harmonic sense and unusual compositions are what sets him apart and untouchable from the other modern great "shredders." I also think that to really appreciate Holdsworth you have to do more than listen simultaneously to the bass player, as Fil suggests. That's a given minimum. More in that same direction, it's best to hear and be familiar with the chord progressions of the song - i.e. perhaps being familiar with the album version of the song. In this live video the band plays Where Is One, which fans will recognize from one of the early I.O.U. albums. The album versions typically lay out the chord progressions more clearly than later live band recordings. You need to understand the chord progressions more than just listening to the bass, because the bass player can also be adventurous and you may even need to know the chord progression of the song to appreciate the bass playing, let alone Allan's playing! Here's the wonderful original studio recording: ruclips.net/video/7Fzwx9YsPRs/видео.html.
Thanks Fil! I was one of the people that suggested a Holdsworth video, and I'm so glad you did one. I saw Allan live many times and he and his various bands were always amazing. He was also a really nice, humble guy. Cheers!
I first saw Allan live in '86 when I was studying music in L.A. He did a teaching/demo type thing in a room after for about two hours. I sat three feet from him and watched everything he did. Greatest lesson I've ever had! The first thing I saw is that he doesn't pull off. He reverse hammers. That's why its so smooth. Took me years to get that down! His chordal work is astounding! Been studying it for over 20 years. The last time I saw him, we had a smoke outside and talked after the gig. H put his arm around my shoulder and cracked a joke about how he couldn't even muster a smile he was so tired. But then he kaughed as the pic was taken. Miss him. We lost one of the greatest this world has ever seen.
Reverse hammers...that makes sense. I was playing that way before I'd even heard Allan I think. Not sure because I didn't think much about it, it felt natural to me.
So.... where are you guitar vids? Your channel has no content! I'd say someone studying Holdsworth chords for 20 years would be proud to upload some of their own playing. I was hoping to hear what 20 years of Holdworth study resulted in! :) Me? It's just out of my range. I'm more of a rock player.
As for the question of where are my vids of my chordal and solo work: I had a series of tragic events happen and lost a leg 3 years ago and have really not been playing much except maintenance and enjoyment. I have done some composing and work on a few video games. Also pull offs and reverse hammers are NOT the same thing. 💚🔥💚
We’re used to hearing chord changes that are all in one key. Listening to Alan it’s like every chord change is a key change. It’s his fluidity doing this thats remarkable. He doesn’t think about patterns the same way most guitarists do. It’s obvious from his playing that he’s not in an “octave box” or the 3 notes a string box. He’s visualizing the entire fretboard as one scale, and moving that scale around the changes. It’s remarkable!
There's an instructional vid out there with Alan and he shows his perspective on scales on a chart. He said that we wouldn't recognize any of them because they were his own. I've been playing for 35 years and I've NEVER seen anything like it!! CRAZY! It looked like an astronomy chart!!! Also, this is the man who changed the perspective of a young aspiring guitar player named Edward Van Halen!!! R.I.P. Mr. Holdsworth, you are missed!!
Hehe; good one, but of course we wouldn't need a chart for that. His book of his favorite scales with musical examples to illustrate how he constructs chords from them is actually pretty straightforward and easily understandable. Allan was super methodical, and it's surprisingly simple how he came up with his wildly individual and beautiful chordal vocabulary: he merely harmonized scales just like normal, except he tried harmonizing a variety of scales, and used stacks of intervals other than the traditional 3rds. Of course, he was super tasteful about which chords to use where, and a genius composer, but the building blocks are simple enough to attain, and he made no mystery of his method. In fact, some of the illustrations in his scale book are neck diagrams with the familiar dots showing a particular scale, and then groups of those dots circled to indicate one possible interval stack grouped into a chord, and then being moved upward through the scale. Super simple; just a matter of taking the time.
I have to disagree here. He never says that he invented those scales and we would not know them. The scales he talks about in the instructional vid are for the most part scales we all know and use in Jazz/Fusion type of music. Like: melodic minor, altered, diminished, etc.. He just gives them different names and symbols for his own use. Those names and symbols would be useless to us, but the scales are nothing new. However the way he improvises with them is one of a kind and jawdropping! Like a highly skilled magician, and juggler in one person. Number one in my book!
Bang On...he was a one off...true genius,and i am a Zappa Freak...he was a genius too,Frank composed all music and lyrics....1200...but both fu king in a class of 1.
Allan was definitely a visionary player and an incredibly humble guy. There isn't much you can say about him that hasn't been said already by the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Zappa, Satriani and even stupendous jazz fusion players like John McLaughlin. RIP Allan, you were something else, my friend.
It’s crazy how Allan was not only ahead of his time in his early career, but stayed ahead of his time throughout his entire life. Few musicians continued to innovate throughout their entire lives, and up to the day he passed, Allan was still exploring uncharted territory in the worlds of music and guitar. I don’t think there will be another musician like him in my lifetime.
Absolutely stunning guitar player and composer. I love listening to guitar players from all genres of music, Allan Holdsworth is definitely my favourite player of all time. His technique, technical skill, chord structures and improvisational soloing will still be being studied long after many well known and popular players are forgotten.
Great job introducing Allan to your viewers. Great players, tremendous rhythmic freedom, really imaginative harmonies and mind expanding solo work. I wish this was the kind of music we heard played on the radio.
He made music that takes years to fully absorb, and even then it's difficult. He will always take you on journeys nobody else can, though...well worth training your ears to
Allan is crazy indeed. You kinda skipped his incredible chord playing ability. When Eric Johnson (a chord monster himself) was asked about what he thought about he spoke about Allans chords.
Larry Coryell said that electric guitar starts with Hendrix and ends with Holdsworth... and the great Johnny Mac told Allan after watching him live that he's steal everything he does... if he only knew what it was! That's some of the all-time greats... everyone who heard Holdsworth knew he was nearly untouchable, and a good 40yrs ahead of his time... and nobody in their right mind hears a Holdsworth solo for the first time and says, "hold my beer, I got this"!
I bought Road Games on Eddie Van Halen's recommendation in Guitar World or some such and I've never stopped loving every second of it. One of a handful of actual artistic geniuses operating during my lifetime. Met him backstage after the show with the Jazz Superband in what must have been 1988 or thereabouts, he was mad about not having played better and that made me want to quit even more lol
And believe it or not, Allan hated that album because he felt the company interfered too much with it, that's why it's an EP because half the songs were thrown out. Even still, it's probably the best intro to Allan's playing.
I remember first hearing Alan Holdsworth play back in the 70's and being blow away by his playing in a jazz fusion context (with Tony Williams Lifetime). His initial soloing in this video is very blues based which is interesting because he rarely played like that. One of the most incredible and innovative guitarists ever. It's a shame that his career was so difficult and that he really struggled to make ends meet financially as a musician (and all to common problem). Thanks for featuring him.
I've always placed Allan in a similar John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola category...definitely not mainstream, but so incredibly talented I couldn't help but want to hear more from all three respective players. Excellent choice Fil!
Even McLaughlin was baffled by Allan's approach. Always felt that JM was at his best on acoustic were he displayed both great power and sensitivity especially with Shakti.
McLaughlin's electric guitar playing during those classic early Mahavishnu Orchestra years remains some of the most ground-breaking and original electric guitar ever conceived or recorded; still sounds amazingly radical after all these years !
One of the things to keep in mind listening to Allan is that he worked out his own personal system for harmony and scales etc., which helped make him truly one of a kind. His music will often go to unexpected places. So, as a listener, it's best to keep your mind and ears wide open to prepare yourself for him.
This was a very good analysis of AH's playing, If I may clarify a few things though. 1. The 'endless runs' factor is more revealing of how AH has spent a boatload of time analyzing hand position related to scales/modes. He has come up with techniques that allow him to effortlessy play the full length of the neck and tweak things to his liking. Its a tool that allows him to play what he feels , its not an exercise in speed or agility. AH had a huge interest in the creation of more efficent playing which opened up greater atonal possibilties. In turn it becomes a vehicle for his meaning and emotion. This is where many are disconnected from him. They dont 'get it' because they either havent played enough themselves or opened their minds enough to hear/feel this. Its basically an evolution of one's own musical thinking and that only comes over time. 2. As a Bassist it is very important in a group setting to listen to everybody, and when the freedom presents itself, to key off of the other musicians . That keying off increases my interaction with the others and can also drive the song in many ways, effecting how and what the others play. its an unspoken relation that happens in a very open ears group. Everybody is listening to everybody else and thats when the 'magic' happens. That said , it should not be made into a type of 'call and response' thing, thats too contrived. This interaction should just flow naturally. i've found it opens my mind, playing lines i would have never thought of and that is the magic right there. In AH's groups he has said many times that he enjoys listening to what the other members bring as he is playing, so of course he is keying off of them alot -not only the Bass but the Drums, as well as Kybd when they are in the group. I've listened to him for decades. A couple groups I was in opened for his band a few times and thats when your ears are really tuned in cause you've just come off the stage after being vibed in to your own bandmates playing, and now you are listening to AH & co. You absorb soo much watching them play when your mind is soo open like that. There are a couple great guitarists here on YT that have done vids on AH and his playing, Rick Beato comes to mind he nails it in depth. Theres one or two others as well but ck out Rick he does a great job dissecting AH's playing .
Love Alan Holdsworth! Sitting on a beautiful beach soaking up the sun in 1985. Double headphones hooked up to my husband and I. Just beautiful while in paradise looking at the waves. Oh I guess a Walkman. Lifetime memories. Thank you for helping me to understand Holdsworth’s music. A great talent on this planet. Oh Holdsworths latest was playing! You are a beautiful man! ❤️😻
He was a real genius. He was the best guitarist of all time on this planet, so far and also so, so far ahead of his time. He will be missed by all guitarists.
Brilliant. Thanks for introducing your listeners to Allan. He was an improvisational master but his command of uncommon scales and chord structures gave his compositions a feel and a sound that most people have probably never heard outside of classical music, or a few other fusion artists. To say that his music is an acquired taste is an understatement. Give Sixteen Men of Tain a listen. Many of us think it was his best album. Cheers.
The absolute master of guitar harmony. The fact that he worked so extensively with amazing players like Jeff Berlin and Jimmy Johnson is testament to his mastery.
Allan and EJ are my top 2 players. Despite very different backgrounds I find a lot of similarities between the two, they both have a very distinct chord vs lead style and tone, bridge pickups with the tone rolled down, unpredictability as mentioned, and, very importantly, humility.
Stunning technique,amazing command of the fretboard. Nice breakdown Fil. You're right about the endurance your fingers need to accomplish this type of playing.
Allan Holdsworth "the humble Genius" is my all time favourite guitarist, among his many great great compositions one of my fav solo is from a song " In the dead of the night" from the 'UK' Metal Fatigue album
Allan, at last! The earlier stuff shows how radically he changed his approach by the time of the second video. His chordal work was also ground-breaking. You could honestly have five or six vids on Allan as there are so many unique aspects of his playing. PS the 1984 Tokyo vid has the track Metal Fatigue. This is about as conventional and rock based as Allan got and might have been more relatable from a rock guitar point of view. Cheers
I think that it is quite sad that you had to repeatedly mention that this is not for everyone. The first time that I heard Holdsworth was when I thought Bob Dylan was the ultimate shit but was still immediately intrigued. Then, after learning more music theory and listening to some jazz, Alan's playing really opened up. But, it was a fast and enjoyable journey to loving his music.
I almost saw him in a perfect venue near my then-home in California. It was one of his last shows. Apparently he was poor. Sort of glad I didn't go. The poor dude was drinking and had a financial troubles. Guy had amazing talents, for sure.
As your shirt references...Allan's gone 'back to the future'......or whatever dimension he came from......a true visionary and virtuoso, par excellente. There are players who are great.......and then there's Allan. It brings me to tears to know he died penniless......like Mozart. I can only thank God that they were delivered to this planet, and left us their 'one of a kind' legacies of 'mind blowing musicality'. Thanks for this, be blessed.
Great insight from Steve Vai: Hendrix wasn't ahead of his time, he was perfect for his time, Allan's playing, from 40 years ago is still ahead of time.
@@BeatlesCentricUniverse Vai does NOT mean ANY disrespect or to discredit Hendrix in any way, far from it actually. He is trying to verbally express, and RIGHTLY, the heretofore underestimated influence of Holdsworth which in future years will come to be measured in its full capacity. As time goes on, the footprint of Holdsworth's influence on guitarists from MANY genres will become more readily known than it is right now. This is what Vai was trying to verbalize and certainly didn't mean to discredit Jimi Hendrix in any way.
It took me a couple of years to really get into Allan, but from Hard Hat Area onwards I was totally smitten. For me, him and Keith Jarrett are what music is all about.
I think the point is in the 1974 performance, it's clear he's way ahead of his time, I don't know anyone that was playing with that facility at that time. Many Jazz people would say Allan's music isn't jazz and I guess Holdsworth would have agreed with them. He was his own genre in the end, and certainly one of the greatest players ever.
I think a lot more of us enjoy a good jazz guitarist more than you may think. Good video Fil. When my friends were all listening to Rush, Zep and Aerosmith, I was listening to Al DiMeola, Jean Luc Ponte, Zappa and Holdsworth. DiMeola never got airplay and he is fantastic imo. I also loved Wayne Johnson later on in the 80's, he is a fine player.
Tony Faelens: Several years ago I found his web site which indicated he lived in San Diego and was available for lessons. A little out of my league. He has a few tutorials on YT in collaboration with Taylor. Very cool. I was a Wayne Johnson Trio junkie throughout the 80's.
Wings of Pegasus: Maybe not everones cup of tea, but a great example of Jazz Improv. These guys are all over the place. Wayne doesn't have Holdsworth chops but a fine player none the less: ruclips.net/video/x6VQkkhToPo/видео.html
John Leonard amen Wayne Johnson, arrowhead album etc. Of course his brother Jimmy aka Flim was a Holdsworth bassist. Bill Connors also a beast. Can't get past Holdsworth though, simply the most unreal player. Easily equal to Coltrane or any other we can mention.
Allan Holdsworth was an absolute exception. His skills were light years away from the mainstream. Even his “commercial” contributions, such as his collaboration on some Level 42 pieces, bore the unmistakable signature of this genius. He was the Einstein of the guitar. R.I.P.
Holdsworth wanted to be a sax player but ended up a guitarist. Remember the 80's instrument called the SynthAxe? Holdsworth got a free one to use on his albums for marketing purposes. This guy is everybody's favorite guitar player EVH loved him and called him the best guitarist on the planet and he most likely was. Stanley Jordan is a player you'd want to see for his unorthodox tap/jazz playing 😁😁😁
You beat me to it. I was going to mention several of things that you did nice job. The SynthAxe lol. Also check out what Steve Vai says about Allan. Steve said there are times when even he had no idea what Allan was doing. ruclips.net/video/RB9iTMteze0/видео.html
He did not get a free SynthAxe; he spoke at the time about how it was so important to him to get one that he mortgaged a house to pay for it. They weren't cheap, and the market for them was small, so I very strongly doubt they gave away a single unit. The famous players that used them were probably a significant percentage of their client base. It is okay to admit you don't know something; better than taking guesses and stating them as facts.
Spectular analyses, Professor Fil! I never understood or cared much for "free-style" jazz, but you are so smart! What an excellent lecture- lesson! I loved it! Thanks!
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Great video ! When I took jazz guitar lessons, I discovered Allan Holdsworth and also Pat Metheny, Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, John Scofield... My guitar technique although light years away from any of these geniuses was never the same again. But I keep a special place for Allan Holdsworth, for his amazing endurance and crazy inventivity. We lost a great musician in 2017. A part of me would like his name to be more famous because he was a guitar prodigy. But I also like the fact that you have to dig deeper to find him. You have to deserve Allan Holdsworth ;)
Holdsworth was one of a kind. The song Metal Fatigue is a great example of building to mind-melting shred then dropping into expressive melodic lines with such apparent ease.
Allan doesn't have a tool box! He has the whole tool store! He's playing is so smooth and seemingly effortless !!! I'm not a overly lover of jazz!! But Allan is in a league of his own and find him great to watch and listen to!!! Great stuff Fil !!!!!!!
I enjoy your analysis very much and you are well qualified to do so because of your knowledge and ability which is obvious to those that are familiar with your videos which you have quite a few .
Hello Fil, Thanks for covering Allan & we don't care if it will go over heads as it will but to not try & over analyze his awesome techniques it's best to just listen or watch & let him take you where he's going in the composition. Yes it's not for everyone even other players but he was a genius & all the analyzing also gets lost on many but it's the journey he takes you on that made him so great. All that knew of him from the start could hear the changes he began to go through till the end of his life & all were as much fun to get lost in . Legend !!!
Nice 1961 Les Paul he's got there. Saw one of those yesterday at the guitar store. That model was also played by Michael Nesmith [The Monkees] and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Allan knows his shapes.
When i first heard Allan in the mid '70s, i had no idea what he was using. Read later that the SG he used with The Tony Williams Lifetime was sold in SF when the band fell apart so he could get back to the UK. Often wondered if it was at Don Wher's, place i bought my '75 Strat in '76. Not sure if the same one here.
I appreciate ur comments Fil, now after hearing this, ur message is really hitting home about musical influence, etc. I'm not a jazz fan , certainly not with syncopated but I can appreciate the musicianship. His legato, runs were VERY finely tuned shall we say!!! Rock On!
He always starts so slow and builds and builds...then you're like holy cow this guys is unreal. I enjoyed the memorial videos after he passed, great tribute to him from his band mates and close friends.
I saw Allan when he was with Soft Machine and with Bill Bruford's band "Bruford". I hate the word but he was "awesome" as I was awestruck watching and listening to him.
Allan was a man on his own path, his own adventure. I was lucky enough to see him live at least 10 times and spoke to him a few times. He was always unbelievably humble and self-critical ...often there were young and old guitarists watching with their bottom jaws on the floor....but in a nice way. His music went through my spine , it was beyond anything else I ever witnessed.
Excellent video Fil! Holdsworth is awesome and of course Chad Wackerman on the drums is simply amazing -- I don't think Allan could have played the way he did -- with such abandon -- without Chad and guys like him -- I would have loved to have been in the room with them as they worked out the songs etc
In the first (Soft Machine) video, you have to ask "What were other guitarists doing, THEN?" And when you fast forward 10 or 15 or 20 or 30 years, you still have to ask "What were other guitarists doing THEN?" It's not simply the unbelievably fluid blazing technique; it's his deep understanding of harmony and his ability to play inside or outside freely. But even that isn't it. One can't really appreciate him until you get his writing, which is SO harmonically free and wild and exploratory. Not only that but his playing is off-the-charts expressive! If you listen to his solo on Devil Take The Hindmost, you hear him bending and squeezing and wailing and diving and pinching and soaring sonically in a way that puts almost every other guitar player to shame. Most of us are going to not get his music, and that is okay! It took me 40 years of listening to his stuff before I really started to appreciate it with any level of fullness. 40 years of studying every kind of music (I'm 62 now and first heard him in 1978 -- Nostalgic Lady) and I still sort of feel like I'm scratching the surface of AH!
Never worry about Allan losing some people. They have no ears; sad for them, but honestly, I have turned a few people on to him that have zero background in jazz, zero background in any kind of "fusion" or "shred", but they were instantly blown away because they had open minds, open hearts, open ears, and guess what: that's all you need to appreciate and love his genius. I'm not a painter, but when I see a Van Gogh, I don't say "meh, I don't get it". When someone says that about Allan, I know they're simply being closed minded. That's their problem, not ours.
brad zybola hey Brad...it's amazing how good some musicians are! I'm really not into bluegrass music, but I go to little country fairs around my area. They always have bluegrass bands. I stopped and watch these guys play and my jaw dropped! They've got talent for sure! It's good to listen to other types of music once in a while...except polka!😂
brad zybola lol...I just got burnt out on polka music going to Hershey Park too many times as a kid! They have polka bands there and music blasting loud on the merry go round! Just makes me cringe when I think abou it!😂 My stepson loves the old country and I listen to it with him sometimes and I do enjoy watching the bluegrass players at these local fairs we have around York County, Pa. Lots of fun! Glad to hear your clean and sober...me too! And I'm more spiritual than ever before! I guess I got my head straightened out after all these years! I don't go to church, but I do love watching and listening to the gospel choirs. When ever there's music and good talent...I listen! Can't have too much music...for sure! Take care!😀
@brad zybola oh I'm the same...can't get enough music! I used to live in the country where I couldn't get cable. Only thing on Sunday's was gospel on relifious programs...I loved it! Ya gott a hear Hershey Park though and you'll understand...lol😀
Holdsworth is my all time fav. Once you get past the awe of his playing, you'll really appreciate his songs and the other guys in the band whether it be Jeff Berlin, Jimmy Johnson, or Paul Carmichael on bass or Gary Husband, Chad Wackerman, or Bill Bruford on drums. The best way to think about Allan's guitar playing is to think of it as a saxaphone. That's what he's trying to emulate and who he listened to for inspiration, like John Coltrane. Even his tone sounds like a sax. He was an amazing musician. R.I.P.
Allan Holdsworth, like Coltrane, was just a freak of nature. He was really his own universe. A true singularity unto himself. This probably hurt him in some ways, on a commercial level - but few people ever reach his level. Not a craftsman in the way of Eric Johnson, or a Jimmy Page - but more like a steady stream of conscience like a vision quest.
My first contact with Allan was a live record with Tony williams and after that I haven't closed my mouth yet. Such a master at his instrument! Thanks for sharing! :)
Thanks a bunch for this, mate! Nice intro to Mr. Holdsworth. In addition to the players you named, Eddie Van Halen also cites him as a big influence. Jazz is your friend, rock heads! Explore it.
I remember watching Allan play -it must have been about 2008 and still to this day I still can't get over just how stunning his playing and music was.Chad Wackerman was on drums -he was also a stunning musician to behold(feel guilty I can't remember the bassist).
The thing with Allan is that, at least in trio format, you have to work hard on following the chordal progression once his soloing starts... this really makes it quite difficult for most musicians to follow. His chordal progressions are unique to begin with but when the soloing starts and there is no more comping behind it then it really does take a lot of work. Following the bass is the key! Even when he had Steve Hunt/Alan Pasqua on keys it was quite difficult music... but so rewarding once you immerse yourself in the language...
Alan Pasqua - underrated keyboardist extraordinaire. ruclips.net/video/Yll1FS-YcT0/видео.html Here he shines on Fred, a most gorgeous tune that Allan wrote for his wife, originally recorded on the first New Tony Williams Lifetime record (where every song has a scorching Holdsworth solo - I still think some of his finest playing), which also had Pasqua doing his excellent work. I believe Pasqua teaches at a university now.
Allan Holdsworth is one of those unique artist is one who is of his own making, chosing a path of his conception.Fantastic abilities and a direction never revealed before until he came into his unworidly perception.He said he never knew where his solo wil start or end.He even has shown on you tube his way of thinking of looking at the fretboard, a totally unique insiders view.I saw him many times in his career.He conatantly forged ahead of his own way of concepts comoposing.So sad that he is no longer, he passed away at an early time of his age.Who knows . what'he would be doing today.A remarkable musician.May he rest in peace.Once again thank you for this post.Keep up the good work.!!!
It took me a couple years to make some sense of how his music is structured. On the surface his music blew my analytical mind but as time progressed it appealed more to my emotional senses. No one else has done that for me...truly a treasure of music itself.
The earlier stuff in early 70's fusion was more of the musicians music. While the mainstream was into Zeppelin, The Who, Derp Purple etc... There were some amazing musicians creating a genre that based more on jazz than blues. Allan Holdsworth is that one guitarristas that is completely timeless. Many great guitarists like i.e. Van Halen, we're influenced by Allan and John Goodsall from Brand X.
In terms of his soloing, what a master of pace and closure. His resolutions are so clearly stamped w his signature. Rarely would he play a note that appeared to be coming, and his choice to move in that uncharted terrain was so much more satisfying that what was was expected. He understood that speed could kill, if overdone, so he would slow his phrasing and become melodic when the air required it. A true giant.
Didn't expect this one Phil, but it's a great pick and really usefull comments what you tell us, thanks for that! Saw Alan in the eighties in the Paradiso in Amsterdam, playing a Roland G707, a very rare guitar. Jan Akkerman used one also in the eighties. I remember people requested Wes Montgomery some time ago. Now you're starting with jazz guitarists also I think sooner or later Wes wil be on the screen. I've done a few requests before so I won't tire you this time ;-) but I'll give you a nice jazz tip in the near future.
My man! Alan! Thank you much Pegasus! Who knows, maybe one day You gonna talk abut "Friday Night In San Francisco", My long time TOP album by John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia and Al Di Meola. Some very famous actor use to say: "You good, you very good!" R D N. Regards, Thomas,
Generally, I would say there is no best. The top guitarists are all good. But, I saw Allan Holdsworth and have to agree he was the best living beyond Hendrix. That's not easy having seen J. McLaughlin, Eric Johnson, Eric Gales, Larry Coryell and other big names. But, no one could beat Holdsworth. End of subject.
Mr. Holdsworth's music is different. I find his music so emotional and rich in feeling that it brings me to tears. If you haven't listened to his 16 men of tain release, it is very beautiful. Especially Above and Below. Thanks for showing these clips of him.
..yeah..his endurance is definitely amazing..wish I had it..Satriani impresses me the same way..like he could play all day and night w/o a break..Vai too..
My little brother, a drummer, and I can't stand each other! However, we can bond like crazy, speak the same language and relate to one another so well when it comes to music and Allan was often our subject! He's otherworldly, I believe he has no equal!
My favorite thing about some of his chords is that some technically don't have names because they aren't based on thirds which makes learning his songs that much harder.
Interesting analysis Fil and Im not surprised to hear that Frank Zappa named Allan as an influence as I could hear bits of Franks playing in both pieces, but I guess thats just the jazz which I know little about.
6:51 is spot on in summary, lot conveyed there. It took me many years to understand how the song and it's harmony/changes define his melodic lines, it wasn't until I studied jazz that I came to understand what he does. The two playing snippets are perfect to convey this.
Many thanks for this Fil. Wow!!! What a player. His technique is off the scale (sorry!) Keep up your good work in opening up people's eyes, minds and ears to these great guitarists. Here's a few more for the future - Frank Gambale, Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser, Ronnie Montrose, Andy Powell & Ted Turner of Wishbone Ash, Scott Gorham & Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy, Mike Campbell, Les Dudek, Steve Miller, Gary Richrath? Sterling work Sir!!!
I swear I can see it in 2120.... there‘s some good old guys in their low orbit waiting for clearance to land, time to kill before they dock on Mars, listening to some Allan Holdsworth
Allan’s solos paint beautiful melodic landscapes with technical expertise!! a Real Monster of Jazz Fusion. If you can, check out the CD (MVP)Truth In Shredding; it’s him and Frank Gamble trading solos, RIP Allan.....
When I first heard Yes ["Close To the Edge"] I was like - what's going on? Since then being an avid Bill Bruford fan [Robert Fripp: "I think yo're ready for Crimson now."] Then I bought everything W/ Mr B, and - "Feels Good To me" and UK's first album I first discovered Mr H. Fell in love instantly. Me and my buddy Per fought [yes we did] our way to the best seats in the parlour, two venues. People were crazy! So were we. I'll kill for a time machine. And - I'll fight my way through once more. RIP the solitary universal galactic genius. You are gone, but your legacy shines brighter than any diamond, anywhere.
He heard music no on e else could hear... so he played it for us. That was Allen Holdsworth. RIP.
Beautifully said. He wasn't next-level genius. He was over-the-top genius.
Thank you, I agree. There will never be another like him.
It's ALLAN not Allen you stupid mupp !
LOL! Hard to take back after hitting the reply key.I'm surprised it lasted a year before someone noticed
Oops. The sentiment still stands.
Allan is an anomaly. Most 'shredders' don't have anything near his command of overlapping modes and harmonic substitution. He is not really a traditional jazz player, yet he's the closest to Coltrane I've ever heard. His 'outside' playing is always very musical, at least to a jazzer it definitely is.
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@@modularmuse which guitarist plays most like 'trane? If I've not heard, then my comment still stands.
@@modularmuse Which track on two drink is best example? Krantz is certainly funkier. But not many would say he's more like Coltrane. His lines are broken, not as fluid. His playing is more compact. I hear him pretty much stick to the standard mode, and very little chord changes. I'm seriously wondering if you're joking. What you describe is not what I hear.
@@modularmuse perhaps this analysis will show him not "conventional" ruclips.net/video/VMsuMGbWNU4/видео.html
I mean there is still Frank Gambale.
I was a 15 year-old drummer and brought home Tony William’s “Believe It” album waiting to be blown away by Tony-then I heard Allan Holdsworth for the first time. It was life changing. The sound was so new-waterfalls of notes seemingly drawn from the heavens. It was almost frightening. I think I played air guitar to the insane “Red Alert” and “Fred” solos a thousand times. I asked a talented guitar player friend of mine if this guy was truly that great. He listened...and lost his mind, too. I’m sure this scenario has been repeated a million times. I can’t believe he’s gone.👍
Though Holdsworth hated his early stuff, you should hear (you probably have) his playing in a somewhat standard "group of that era context." I think his solo is maybe top 3 I've ever heard and frankly, a bit better than most of his much later stuff.
For you younger folks, you can't possibly imagine what is was like around 1975 when Allan appeared. He played things no other guitarist had ever played, it was completely stunning.
Thank you for posting Holdsworth. It can't be overstated that he's playing through the changes, not just random noodling.
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Crazy people music
Once you’ve accustomed the ear, there’s no sense of any form of noodling. Rather there’s a deep sense of melody and contrary to what some think it’s filled with feeling.
in '74, he blew most players away in any genre, imo. Was McLaughlin playing this well in '74? who??? VH got a lot of his legato inspiration from Holdsworth and I'd bet 99.9% of VH fans never heard of any Allan Holdsworth. He was just amazing.
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True indeed ❤
I am that . Petcent that dies know ed was a big fan if his.
@Andy Butler As guitar innovators I agree. John McLaughlin and Larry Coryell were really the first guitar innovators of the fusion/modern jazz era, with McLaughlin more influenced by Coltrane's "sheets of sound" and bridging rock (i.e. "fusion") with this new exploratory sound in the late '60's. And of course Frank Zappa and Jerry Hahn also in that early mix. That's my take anyway on what were probably Holdsworth's guitar influences. But I really give McLaughlin and Coryell big kudos as the modern jazz/fusion guitar innovators that influenced most all modern jazz and fusion guitar players that followed - Pat Metheny, John Abercrombie, John Scofield, Terje Rypdal, Toto Blanke, Jan Akkerman, Daryl Stuermer, Steve Howe, Al DiMeola, Jukka Tolonen, Frank Gambale, etc. Probably the most adventurous "pure" jazz guitar innovators that led to McLaughlin and Coryell, that come to mind were Barney Kessel and Jim Hall for modern harmony and substitute/alternative scales and Tal Farlow for speed/technique. Though Holdsworth certainly took it to a whole new level and will forever be one of the true unmatched giants. Beyond having the cleanest technique among the "shredders," I think his advanced harmonic sense and unusual compositions are what sets him apart and untouchable from the other modern great "shredders."
I also think that to really appreciate Holdsworth you have to do more than listen simultaneously to the bass player, as Fil suggests. That's a given minimum. More in that same direction, it's best to hear and be familiar with the chord progressions of the song - i.e. perhaps being familiar with the album version of the song. In this live video the band plays Where Is One, which fans will recognize from one of the early I.O.U. albums. The album versions typically lay out the chord progressions more clearly than later live band recordings. You need to understand the chord progressions more than just listening to the bass, because the bass player can also be adventurous and you may even need to know the chord progression of the song to appreciate the bass playing, let alone Allan's playing! Here's the wonderful original studio recording: ruclips.net/video/7Fzwx9YsPRs/видео.html.
TruthSurge. Why does it always have to end up in a pissing contest?
Allan was great, Mclaughlin is great, isn't that enough?
Thanks Fil! I was one of the people that suggested a Holdsworth video, and I'm so glad you did one. I saw Allan live many times and he and his various bands were always amazing. He was also a really nice, humble guy. Cheers!
No problem!
I first saw Allan live in '86 when I was studying music in L.A. He did a teaching/demo type thing in a room after for about two hours. I sat three feet from him and watched everything he did. Greatest lesson I've ever had! The first thing I saw is that he doesn't pull off. He reverse hammers. That's why its so smooth. Took me years to get that down! His chordal work is astounding! Been studying it for over 20 years. The last time I saw him, we had a smoke outside and talked after the gig. H put his arm around my shoulder and cracked a joke about how he couldn't even muster a smile he was so tired. But then he kaughed as the pic was taken. Miss him. We lost one of the greatest this world has ever seen.
Amen.
Reverse hammers...that makes sense. I was playing that way before I'd even heard Allan I think. Not sure because I didn't think much about it, it felt natural to me.
So.... where are you guitar vids? Your channel has no content! I'd say someone studying Holdsworth chords for 20 years would be proud to upload some of their own playing. I was hoping to hear what 20 years of Holdworth study resulted in! :) Me? It's just out of my range. I'm more of a rock player.
Ah - reverse hammers - aka pull offs
As for the question of where are my vids of my chordal and solo work: I had a series of tragic events happen and lost a leg 3 years ago and have really not been playing much except maintenance and enjoyment. I have done some composing and work on a few video games. Also pull offs and reverse hammers are NOT the same thing. 💚🔥💚
We’re used to hearing chord changes that are all in one key. Listening to Alan it’s like every chord change is a key change. It’s his fluidity doing this thats remarkable. He doesn’t think about patterns the same way most guitarists do. It’s obvious from his playing that he’s not in an “octave box” or the 3 notes a string box. He’s visualizing the entire fretboard as one scale, and moving that scale around the changes. It’s remarkable!
There's an instructional vid out there with Alan and he shows his perspective on scales on a chart. He said that we wouldn't recognize any of them because they were his own. I've been playing for 35 years and I've NEVER seen anything like it!! CRAZY! It looked like an astronomy chart!!! Also, this is the man who changed the perspective of a young aspiring guitar player named Edward Van Halen!!! R.I.P. Mr. Holdsworth, you are missed!!
Yeah I heard he had a fretboard example of his shapes, every note on the fretboard had a dot! 😂
Hehe; good one, but of course we wouldn't need a chart for that. His book of his favorite scales with musical examples to illustrate how he constructs chords from them is actually pretty straightforward and easily understandable.
Allan was super methodical, and it's surprisingly simple how he came up with his wildly individual and beautiful chordal vocabulary: he merely harmonized scales just like normal, except he tried harmonizing a variety of scales, and used stacks of intervals other than the traditional 3rds. Of course, he was super tasteful about which chords to use where, and a genius composer, but the building blocks are simple enough to attain, and he made no mystery of his method.
In fact, some of the illustrations in his scale book are neck diagrams with the familiar dots showing a particular scale, and then groups of those dots circled to indicate one possible interval stack grouped into a chord, and then being moved upward through the scale. Super simple; just a matter of taking the time.
I have to disagree here.
He never says that he invented those scales and we would not know them. The scales he talks about in the instructional vid are for the most part scales we all know and use in Jazz/Fusion type of music. Like: melodic minor, altered, diminished, etc..
He just gives them different names and symbols for his own use.
Those names and symbols would be useless to us, but the scales are nothing new.
However the way he improvises with them is one of a kind and jawdropping!
Like a highly skilled magician, and juggler in one person. Number one in my book!
Bang On...he was a one off...true genius,and i am a Zappa Freak...he was a genius too,Frank composed all music and lyrics....1200...but both fu king in a class of 1.
Allan was definitely a visionary player and an incredibly humble guy.
There isn't much you can say about him that hasn't been said already by the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Zappa, Satriani and even stupendous jazz fusion players like John McLaughlin.
RIP Allan, you were something else, my friend.
Those legato runs are pretty much the fastest and cleanest thing I’ve heard from 1974. Insanely ahead of his time.
It’s crazy how Allan was not only ahead of his time in his early career, but stayed ahead of his time throughout his entire life. Few musicians continued to innovate throughout their entire lives, and up to the day he passed, Allan was still exploring uncharted territory in the worlds of music and guitar. I don’t think there will be another musician like him in my lifetime.
Absolutely stunning guitar player and composer. I love listening to guitar players from all genres of music, Allan Holdsworth is definitely my favourite player of all time. His technique, technical skill, chord structures and improvisational soloing will still be being studied long after many well known and popular players are forgotten.
Cool!
Alan played something like a violin guitar style. His hammers and pull offs are tremendous. He was just 1 of a kind.
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Great job introducing Allan to your viewers. Great players, tremendous rhythmic freedom, really imaginative harmonies and mind expanding solo work. I wish this was the kind of music we heard played on the radio.
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He made music that takes years to fully absorb, and even then it's difficult. He will always take you on journeys nobody else can, though...well worth training your ears to
Allan is crazy indeed. You kinda skipped his incredible chord playing ability. When Eric Johnson (a chord monster himself) was asked about what he thought about he spoke about Allans chords.
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I feel Allan's chord playing was an approach to play as many notes in a scale at once. He loved ALL the notes. :)
Yes! Chords, and chord progressions.
Absolutely, the quick brilliant chord changes in "Road Games" are another great example.
That's exactly right. His chord progression, is what made him stand out from everyone else.
His chord inversions and scale chords are equally mesmeric.
Larry Coryell said that electric guitar starts with Hendrix and ends with Holdsworth... and the great Johnny Mac told Allan after watching him live that he's steal everything he does... if he only knew what it was! That's some of the all-time greats... everyone who heard Holdsworth knew he was nearly untouchable, and a good 40yrs ahead of his time... and nobody in their right mind hears a Holdsworth solo for the first time and says, "hold my beer, I got this"!
Allan is the greatest of all time. Period.
loved him with Bill Bruford
and Tony Williams.
There is never " The greatest" he was "One of the"
NaniaMania LOL, not even close.
MrIkesimba LOL wrong
NaniaMania He was very good, not the best.
I bought Road Games on Eddie Van Halen's recommendation in Guitar World or some such and I've never stopped loving every second of it. One of a handful of actual artistic geniuses operating during my lifetime. Met him backstage after the show with the Jazz Superband in what must have been 1988 or thereabouts, he was mad about not having played better and that made me want to quit even more lol
Road Games and Metal Fatigue are essential listening for any serious guitarist. 100%
And believe it or not, Allan hated that album because he felt the company interfered too much with it, that's why it's an EP because half the songs were thrown out. Even still, it's probably the best intro to Allan's playing.
There are melodies to what he's playing, most of his lines are actually long melodic phrases. He's not just shredding over scales and modes.
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I remember first hearing Alan Holdsworth play back in the 70's and being blow away by his playing in a jazz fusion context (with Tony Williams Lifetime). His initial soloing in this video is very blues based which is interesting because he rarely played like that. One of the most incredible and innovative guitarists ever. It's a shame that his career was so difficult and that he really struggled to make ends meet financially as a musician (and all to common problem). Thanks for featuring him.
No problem!
I've always placed Allan in a similar John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola category...definitely not mainstream, but so incredibly talented I couldn't help but want to hear more from all three respective players. Excellent choice Fil!
Thanks Scott!
Even McLaughlin was baffled by Allan's approach. Always felt that JM was at his best on acoustic were he displayed both great power and sensitivity especially with Shakti.
Scott look up a song called SPAIN by paco de lucia,john mclaughlin,and al di meola I think you'll be very pleased enjoy...
McLaughlin's electric guitar playing during those classic early Mahavishnu Orchestra years remains some of the most ground-breaking and original electric guitar ever conceived or recorded; still sounds amazingly radical after all these years !
John McLaughlin couldn't touch Allen
One of the things to keep in mind listening to Allan is that he worked out his own personal system for harmony and scales etc., which helped make him truly one of a kind. His music will often go to unexpected places. So, as a listener, it's best to keep your mind and ears wide open to prepare yourself for him.
Allan is the John Coltrane of guitar, this is so "Far out" THNX for bringing Allan in. He is just one of the "Very best"
No problem!
Zbigniew Seifert was the John Coltrane of violin.
This was a very good analysis of AH's playing, If I may clarify a few things though. 1. The 'endless runs' factor is more revealing of how AH has spent a boatload of time analyzing hand position related to scales/modes. He has come up with techniques that allow him to effortlessy play the full length of the neck and tweak things to his liking. Its a tool that allows him to play what he feels , its not an exercise in speed or agility. AH had a huge interest in the creation of more efficent playing which opened up greater atonal possibilties. In turn it becomes a vehicle for his meaning and emotion. This is where many are disconnected from him. They dont 'get it' because they either havent played enough themselves or opened their minds enough to hear/feel this. Its basically an evolution of one's own musical thinking and that only comes over time. 2. As a Bassist it is very important in a group setting to listen to everybody, and when the freedom presents itself, to key off of the other musicians . That keying off increases my interaction with the others and can also drive the song in many ways, effecting how and what the others play. its an unspoken relation that happens in a very open ears group. Everybody is listening to everybody else and thats when the 'magic' happens. That said , it should not be made into a type of 'call and response' thing, thats too contrived. This interaction should just flow naturally. i've found it opens my mind, playing lines i would have never thought of and that is the magic right there. In AH's groups he has said many times that he enjoys listening to what the other members bring as he is playing, so of course he is keying off of them alot -not only the Bass but the Drums, as well as Kybd when they are in the group. I've listened to him for decades. A couple groups I was in opened for his band a few times and thats when your ears are really tuned in cause you've just come off the stage after being vibed in to your own bandmates playing, and now you are listening to AH & co. You absorb soo much watching them play when your mind is soo open like that. There are a couple great guitarists here on YT that have done vids on AH and his playing, Rick Beato comes to mind he nails it in depth. Theres one or two others as well but ck out Rick he does a great job dissecting AH's playing .
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Love Alan Holdsworth! Sitting on a beautiful beach soaking up the sun in 1985. Double headphones hooked up to my husband and I. Just beautiful while in paradise looking at the waves. Oh I guess a Walkman. Lifetime memories. Thank you for helping me to understand Holdsworth’s music. A great talent on this planet. Oh Holdsworths latest was playing! You are a beautiful man! ❤️😻
He was a real genius. He was the best guitarist of all time on this planet, so far and also so, so far ahead of his time. He will be missed by all guitarists.
Brilliant. Thanks for introducing your listeners to Allan. He was an improvisational master but his command of uncommon scales and chord structures gave his compositions a feel and a sound that most people have probably never heard outside of classical music, or a few other fusion artists. To say that his music is an acquired taste is an understatement. Give Sixteen Men of Tain a listen. Many of us think it was his best album. Cheers.
Watching Allan play guitar, why can’t I stop smiling!
The absolute master of guitar harmony. The fact that he worked so extensively with amazing players like Jeff Berlin and Jimmy Johnson is testament to his mastery.
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Allan and EJ are my top 2 players. Despite very different backgrounds I find a lot of similarities between the two, they both have a very distinct chord vs lead style and tone, bridge pickups with the tone rolled down, unpredictability as mentioned, and, very importantly, humility.
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I would love to see a reaction video of Shawn Lane. "Grey pianos flying". He was so special and i really miss him.. R.i.p. Shawn
Saw him play with Black Oak when he was 14! Kid was phenomenal!
Thanks! Amen.
Pretty much any video from 96 or 97 of him with Jonas Hellborg and Jeff Sipe is absolutely amazing! I also love the stuff from live in Paris
He's not ready for that monstruosity.
Holdsworth was Shawn's favourite guitarist. Shawn Lane was incredible. As a musician and in general. Not many like him are born.
Stunning technique,amazing command of the fretboard. Nice breakdown Fil. You're right about the endurance your fingers need to accomplish this type of playing.
Thanks!
Allan Holdsworth "the humble Genius" is my all time favourite guitarist, among his many great great compositions one of my fav solo is from a song " In the dead of the night" from the 'UK' Metal Fatigue album
Allan Holdsworth, with Soft Machine ( a Jimi Hendrix favorite)
I loved him with Bill Bruford
and Tony Williams.
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Allan, at last! The earlier stuff shows how radically he changed his approach by the time of the second video. His chordal work was also ground-breaking. You could honestly have five or six vids on Allan as there are so many unique aspects of his playing. PS the 1984 Tokyo vid has the track Metal Fatigue. This is about as conventional and rock based as Allan got and might have been more relatable from a rock guitar point of view. Cheers
No problem!
I think that it is quite sad that you had to repeatedly mention that this is not for everyone. The first time that I heard Holdsworth was when I thought Bob Dylan was the ultimate shit but was still immediately intrigued. Then, after learning more music theory and listening to some jazz, Alan's playing really opened up. But, it was a fast and enjoyable journey to loving his music.
I caught him at the jazz cafe and he was as awesome as expected.
I almost saw him in a perfect venue near my then-home in California. It was one of his last shows. Apparently he was poor. Sort of glad I didn't go. The poor dude was drinking and had a financial troubles.
Guy had amazing talents, for sure.
Bundles by Soft Machine is such an amazing album, my second favorite only after Third
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As your shirt references...Allan's gone 'back to the future'......or whatever dimension he came from......a true visionary and virtuoso, par excellente. There are players who are great.......and then there's Allan. It brings me to tears to know he died penniless......like Mozart. I can only thank God that they were delivered to this planet, and left us their 'one of a kind' legacies of 'mind blowing musicality'.
Thanks for this, be blessed.
Allan was the Jimi Hendrix of our time - he pushed guitar to the next level.
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absolutely correct!
Great insight from Steve Vai: Hendrix wasn't ahead of his time, he was perfect for his time, Allan's playing, from 40 years ago is still ahead of time.
Vai is dead wrong, Hendrix is a guitar god and Vai is a wanker.
@@BeatlesCentricUniverse Vai does NOT mean ANY disrespect or to discredit Hendrix in any way, far from it actually. He is trying to verbally express, and RIGHTLY, the heretofore underestimated influence of Holdsworth which in future years will come to be measured in its full capacity. As time goes on, the footprint of Holdsworth's influence on guitarists from MANY genres will become more readily known than it is right now. This is what Vai was trying to verbalize and certainly didn't mean to discredit Jimi Hendrix in any way.
Whew. Jimmy Johnson & Chad Wackerman are killing it on the 1984 video. "Where Is One", indeed.
That whole concert blew my mind. Wackerman’s choppy, angular style is such a perfect complement and contrast to Holdsworth’s playing. I love it!
It took me a couple of years to really get into Allan, but from Hard Hat Area onwards I was totally smitten. For me, him and Keith Jarrett are what music is all about.
I think the point is in the 1974 performance, it's clear he's way ahead of his time, I don't know anyone that was playing with that facility at that time. Many Jazz people would say Allan's music isn't jazz and I guess Holdsworth would have agreed with them. He was his own genre in the end, and certainly one of the greatest players ever.
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I think a lot more of us enjoy a good jazz guitarist more than you may think. Good video Fil. When my friends were all listening to Rush, Zep and Aerosmith, I was listening to Al DiMeola, Jean Luc Ponte, Zappa and Holdsworth. DiMeola never got airplay and he is fantastic imo. I also loved Wayne Johnson later on in the 80's, he is a fine player.
Cool!
Hallo John, is Wayne Johnson stil playing these days or stopped playing ? Peace
Tony Faelens: Several years ago I found his web site which indicated he lived in San Diego and was available for lessons. A little out of my league. He has a few tutorials on YT in collaboration with Taylor. Very cool. I was a Wayne Johnson Trio junkie throughout the 80's.
Wings of Pegasus: Maybe not everones cup of tea, but a great example of Jazz Improv. These guys are all over the place. Wayne doesn't have Holdsworth chops but a fine player none the less:
ruclips.net/video/x6VQkkhToPo/видео.html
John Leonard amen Wayne Johnson, arrowhead album etc. Of course his brother Jimmy aka Flim was a Holdsworth bassist. Bill Connors also a beast. Can't get past Holdsworth though, simply the most unreal player. Easily equal to Coltrane or any other we can mention.
Allan Holdsworth was an absolute exception. His skills were light years away from the mainstream. Even his “commercial” contributions, such as his collaboration on some Level 42 pieces, bore the unmistakable signature of this genius. He was the Einstein of the guitar. R.I.P.
Holdsworth wanted to be a sax player but ended up a guitarist. Remember the 80's instrument called the SynthAxe? Holdsworth got a free one to use on his albums for marketing purposes. This guy is everybody's favorite guitar player EVH loved him and called him the best guitarist on the planet and he most likely was. Stanley Jordan is a player you'd want to see for his unorthodox tap/jazz playing 😁😁😁
You beat me to it. I was going to mention several of things that you did nice job. The SynthAxe lol. Also check out what Steve Vai says about Allan. Steve said there are times when even he had no idea what Allan was doing.
ruclips.net/video/RB9iTMteze0/видео.html
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He did not get a free SynthAxe; he spoke at the time about how it was so important to him to get one that he mortgaged a house to pay for it. They weren't cheap, and the market for them was small, so I very strongly doubt they gave away a single unit. The famous players that used them were probably a significant percentage of their client base. It is okay to admit you don't know something; better than taking guesses and stating them as facts.
What ever he paid for it he sure looks like he's having fun with it. Maybe a bit too much.
ruclips.net/video/6GtbBmNEEWg/видео.html
He certainly does. He said he didn't care for the guitar and wish he would have started playing the horn instead.
Spectular analyses, Professor Fil! I never understood or cared much for "free-style" jazz, but you are so smart! What an excellent lecture- lesson! I loved it! Thanks!
Great video ! When I took jazz guitar lessons, I discovered Allan Holdsworth and also Pat Metheny, Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, John Scofield... My guitar technique although light years away from any of these geniuses was never the same again. But I keep a special place for Allan Holdsworth, for his amazing endurance and crazy inventivity. We lost a great musician in 2017. A part of me would like his name to be more famous because he was a guitar prodigy. But I also like the fact that you have to dig deeper to find him. You have to deserve Allan Holdsworth ;)
Holdsworth was one of a kind. The song Metal Fatigue is a great example of building to mind-melting shred then dropping into expressive melodic lines with such apparent ease.
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FWIW the song I meant to mention is Devil Take the Hindmost, from the album Metal Fatigue.
Saw Allan live once - unearthly playing. Just amazing.
And he was one who used the Steinberger TransTrem to it's greatest extent.
Cool!
Allan doesn't have a tool box! He has the whole tool store! He's playing is so smooth and seemingly effortless !!! I'm not a overly lover of jazz!! But Allan is in a league of his own and find him great to watch and listen to!!! Great stuff Fil !!!!!!!
Amen!
I enjoy your analysis very much and you are well qualified to do so because of your knowledge and ability which is obvious to those that are familiar with your videos which you have quite a few .
Thanks Sandra! I feel just knowing Uli Jon Roth watches these too gives them some credibility which is cool! ☺
Hello Fil, Thanks for covering Allan & we don't care if it will go over heads as it will but to not try & over analyze his awesome techniques it's best to just listen or watch & let him take you where he's going in the composition. Yes it's not for everyone even other players but he was a genius & all the analyzing also gets lost on many but it's the journey he takes you on that made him so great. All that knew of him from the start could hear the changes he began to go through till the end of his life & all were as much fun to get lost in . Legend !!!
Nice 1961 Les Paul he's got there. Saw one of those yesterday at the guitar store. That model was also played by Michael Nesmith [The Monkees] and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Allan knows his shapes.
Haha he definitely does!
When i first heard Allan in the mid '70s, i had no idea what he was using. Read later that the SG he used with The Tony Williams Lifetime was sold in SF when the band fell apart so he could get back to the UK. Often wondered if it was at Don Wher's, place i bought my '75 Strat in '76. Not sure if the same one here.
Fantastic to hear you do a clip about Allan. He's the Art Tatum of jazzrock guitarists, and sadly passed away too young.
Amen.
I appreciate ur comments Fil, now after hearing this, ur message is really hitting home about musical influence, etc. I'm not a jazz fan , certainly not with syncopated but I can appreciate the musicianship. His legato, runs were VERY finely tuned shall we say!!! Rock On!
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open your mind to it. you have to listen quite a lot to get used to the sound world. Allan is like a right rope walker in musical terms,
I like it plenty ,it just I'm not into jazz much. I've got ALL the Steely Dan albums. About as far as I meander that direction.
He always starts so slow and builds and builds...then you're like holy cow this guys is unreal. I enjoyed the memorial videos after he passed, great tribute to him from his band mates and close friends.
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I saw Allan when he was with Soft Machine and with Bill Bruford's band "Bruford". I hate the word but he was "awesome" as I was awestruck watching and listening to him.
Allan was a man on his own path, his own adventure. I was lucky enough to see him live at least 10 times and spoke to him a few times. He was always unbelievably humble and self-critical ...often there were young and old guitarists watching with their bottom jaws on the floor....but in a nice way. His music went through my spine , it was beyond anything else I ever witnessed.
Excellent video Fil! Holdsworth is awesome and of course Chad Wackerman on the drums is simply amazing -- I don't think Allan could have played the way he did -- with such abandon -- without Chad and guys like him -- I would have loved to have been in the room with them as they worked out the songs etc
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In the first (Soft Machine) video, you have to ask "What were other guitarists doing, THEN?" And when you fast forward 10 or 15 or 20 or 30 years, you still have to ask "What were other guitarists doing THEN?" It's not simply the unbelievably fluid blazing technique; it's his deep understanding of harmony and his ability to play inside or outside freely. But even that isn't it. One can't really appreciate him until you get his writing, which is SO harmonically free and wild and exploratory. Not only that but his playing is off-the-charts expressive! If you listen to his solo on Devil Take The Hindmost, you hear him bending and squeezing and wailing and diving and pinching and soaring sonically in a way that puts almost every other guitar player to shame. Most of us are going to not get his music, and that is okay! It took me 40 years of listening to his stuff before I really started to appreciate it with any level of fullness. 40 years of studying every kind of music (I'm 62 now and first heard him in 1978 -- Nostalgic Lady) and I still sort of feel like I'm scratching the surface of AH!
Never worry about Allan losing some people. They have no ears; sad for them, but honestly, I have turned a few people on to him that have zero background in jazz, zero background in any kind of "fusion" or "shred", but they were instantly blown away because they had open minds, open hearts, open ears, and guess what: that's all you need to appreciate and love his genius.
I'm not a painter, but when I see a Van Gogh, I don't say "meh, I don't get it". When someone says that about Allan, I know they're simply being closed minded. That's their problem, not ours.
My favorite Guitar Player and Musician. He was a gift to Music.
Vai mentioned Allan as playing "connected" deeper than emotion.
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Had the pleasure of hearing Allan play on the first UK Tour with John Wetton, Bill Bruford and Eddie Jobson. Amazing player. May he RIP.
Definitely not my type of music, but I can always appreciate the skills it takes to play like that. That guy had skills!👍😎🎸🎶
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brad zybola hey Brad...it's amazing how good some musicians are! I'm really not into bluegrass music, but I go to little country fairs around my area. They always have bluegrass bands. I stopped and watch these guys play and my jaw dropped! They've got talent for sure! It's good to listen to other types of music once in a while...except polka!😂
brad zybola lol...I just got burnt out on polka music going to Hershey Park too many times as a kid! They have polka bands there and music blasting loud on the merry go round! Just makes me cringe when I think abou it!😂 My stepson loves the old country and I listen to it with him sometimes and I do enjoy watching the bluegrass players at these local fairs we have around York County, Pa. Lots of fun! Glad to hear your clean and sober...me too! And I'm more spiritual than ever before! I guess I got my head straightened out after all these years! I don't go to church, but I do love watching and listening to the gospel choirs. When ever there's music and good talent...I listen! Can't have too much music...for sure! Take care!😀
@brad zybola oh I'm the same...can't get enough music! I used to live in the country where I couldn't get cable. Only thing on Sunday's was gospel on relifious programs...I loved it! Ya gott a hear Hershey Park though and you'll understand...lol😀
I really didn't like it but I listened to his music a dozen more times then, AHA... LOVE IT NOW!
Holdsworth is my all time fav. Once you get past the awe of his playing, you'll really appreciate his songs and the other guys in the band whether it be Jeff Berlin, Jimmy Johnson, or Paul Carmichael on bass or Gary Husband, Chad Wackerman, or Bill Bruford on drums. The best way to think about Allan's guitar playing is to think of it as a saxaphone. That's what he's trying to emulate and who he listened to for inspiration, like John Coltrane. Even his tone sounds like a sax. He was an amazing musician. R.I.P.
Allan's an incredible musician, and he likes good beer. He left us too soon.
Amen.
Allan Holdsworth, like Coltrane, was just a freak of nature. He was really his own universe. A true singularity unto himself. This probably hurt him in some ways, on a commercial level - but few people ever reach his level. Not a craftsman in the way of Eric Johnson, or a Jimmy Page - but more like a steady stream of conscience like a vision quest.
"Keeping up with Alan"
Sisyphean endeavour
My first contact with Allan was a live record with Tony williams and after that I haven't closed my mouth yet. Such a master at his instrument! Thanks for sharing! :)
Thanks a bunch for this, mate! Nice intro to Mr. Holdsworth. In addition to the players you named, Eddie Van Halen also cites him as a big influence. Jazz is your friend, rock heads! Explore it.
Yeah I agree! 🤘
I remember watching Allan play -it must have been about 2008 and still to this day I still can't get over just how stunning his playing and music was.Chad Wackerman was on drums -he was also a stunning musician to behold(feel guilty I can't remember the bassist).
And I was very fortunate to have seen him from the front row at the Tralf in Buffalo, NY in 1984
Cool!
I was there too!
The thing with Allan is that, at least in trio format, you have to work hard on following the chordal progression once his soloing starts... this really makes it quite difficult for most musicians to follow. His chordal progressions are unique to begin with but when the soloing starts and there is no more comping behind it then it really does take a lot of work. Following the bass is the key! Even when he had Steve Hunt/Alan Pasqua on keys it was quite difficult music... but so rewarding once you immerse yourself in the language...
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Alan Pasqua - underrated keyboardist extraordinaire. ruclips.net/video/Yll1FS-YcT0/видео.html Here he shines on Fred, a most gorgeous tune that Allan wrote for his wife, originally recorded on the first New Tony Williams Lifetime record (where every song has a scorching Holdsworth solo - I still think some of his finest playing), which also had Pasqua doing his excellent work. I believe Pasqua teaches at a university now.
Holdsworth is in a Galaxy of his own, where others will and cannot ever reach!
Except for Mr Lane.
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Allan Holdsworth is one of those unique artist is one who is of his own making, chosing a path of his conception.Fantastic abilities and a direction never revealed before until he came into his unworidly perception.He said he never knew where his solo wil start or end.He even has shown on you tube his way of thinking of looking at the fretboard, a totally unique insiders view.I saw him many times in his career.He conatantly forged ahead of his own way of concepts comoposing.So sad that he is no longer, he passed away at an early time of his age.Who knows . what'he would be doing today.A remarkable musician.May he rest in peace.Once again thank you for this post.Keep up the good work.!!!
And hardly any distortion in the 74 clip..He had some massive legato technique.
It took me a couple years to make some sense of how his music is structured. On the surface his music blew my analytical mind but as time progressed it appealed more to my emotional senses. No one else has done that for me...truly a treasure of music itself.
Sounds like you should read Immanuel Kant! Very interesting.
The earlier stuff in early 70's fusion was more of the musicians music.
While the mainstream was into Zeppelin, The Who, Derp Purple etc... There were some amazing musicians creating a genre that based more on jazz than blues.
Allan Holdsworth is that one guitarristas that is completely timeless. Many great guitarists like i.e. Van Halen, we're influenced by Allan and John Goodsall from Brand X.
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Emmett Flores "Derp purple" rofl
In terms of his soloing, what a master of pace and closure. His resolutions are so clearly stamped w his signature. Rarely would he play a note that appeared to be coming, and his choice to move in that uncharted terrain was so much more satisfying that what was was expected. He understood that speed could kill, if overdone, so he would slow his phrasing and become melodic when the air required it. A true giant.
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Didn't expect this one Phil, but it's a great pick and really usefull comments what you tell us, thanks for that! Saw Alan in the eighties in the Paradiso in Amsterdam, playing a Roland G707, a very rare guitar. Jan Akkerman used one also in the eighties. I remember people requested Wes Montgomery some time ago. Now you're starting with jazz guitarists also I think sooner or later Wes wil be on the screen. I've done a few requests before so I won't tire you this time ;-) but I'll give you a nice jazz tip in the near future.
Thanks!
My man! Alan! Thank you much Pegasus! Who knows, maybe one day You gonna talk abut "Friday Night In San Francisco", My long time TOP album by John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia and Al Di Meola. Some very famous actor use to say: "You good, you very good!" R D N. Regards, Thomas,
I know , we do understand each other well! Thank you for your support and for doing great job! Regards, Thomas,
Allan Holdsworth is the best guitarist🙌💯
Generally, I would say there is no best. The top guitarists are all good. But, I saw Allan Holdsworth and have to agree he was the best living beyond Hendrix. That's not easy having seen J. McLaughlin, Eric Johnson, Eric Gales, Larry Coryell and other big names. But, no one could beat Holdsworth. End of subject.
Mr. Holdsworth's music is different. I find his music so emotional and rich in feeling that it brings me to tears. If you haven't listened to his 16 men of tain release, it is very beautiful. Especially Above and Below. Thanks for showing these clips of him.
No problem!
..yeah..his endurance is definitely amazing..wish I had it..Satriani impresses me the same way..like he could play all day and night w/o a break..Vai too..
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My little brother, a drummer, and I can't stand each other! However, we can bond like crazy, speak the same language and relate to one another so well when it comes to music and Allan was often our subject! He's otherworldly, I believe he has no equal!
Im happy I found your channel.
Thanks!
My favorite thing about some of his chords is that some technically don't have names because they aren't based on thirds which makes learning his songs that much harder.
Interesting analysis Fil and Im not surprised to hear that Frank Zappa named Allan as an influence as I could hear bits of Franks playing in both pieces, but I guess thats just the jazz which I know little about.
Thanks!
6:51 is spot on in summary, lot conveyed there. It took me many years to understand how the song and it's harmony/changes define his melodic lines, it wasn't until I studied jazz that I came to understand what he does. The two playing snippets are perfect to convey this.
Many thanks for this Fil. Wow!!! What a player. His technique is off the scale (sorry!) Keep up your good work in opening up people's eyes, minds and ears to these great guitarists. Here's a few more for the future - Frank Gambale, Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser, Ronnie Montrose, Andy Powell & Ted Turner of Wishbone Ash, Scott Gorham & Brian Robertson of Thin Lizzy, Mike Campbell, Les Dudek, Steve Miller, Gary Richrath? Sterling work Sir!!!
Thanks Mark!
I swear I can see it in 2120.... there‘s some good old guys in their low orbit waiting for clearance to land, time to kill before they dock on Mars, listening to some Allan Holdsworth
Omg😅 my first guitar teacher was a huge fan of Allan. I think Allan was a big influence for many guitarist. His legato playing is so damn good.
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John Marshall is so killing on the drums during that period with Soft Machine. The IOU period is my favorite of Allan's work, such great tunes.
Allan’s solos paint beautiful melodic landscapes with technical expertise!! a Real Monster of Jazz Fusion. If you can, check out the CD (MVP)Truth In Shredding; it’s him and Frank Gamble trading solos, RIP Allan.....
Cool!
When I first heard Yes ["Close To the Edge"] I was like - what's going on? Since then being an avid Bill Bruford fan [Robert Fripp: "I think yo're ready for Crimson now."] Then I bought everything W/ Mr B, and - "Feels Good To me" and UK's first album I first discovered Mr H. Fell in love instantly. Me and my buddy Per fought [yes we did] our way to the best seats in the parlour, two venues. People were crazy! So were we. I'll kill for a time machine. And - I'll fight my way through once more. RIP the solitary universal galactic genius. You are gone, but your legacy shines brighter than any diamond, anywhere.
Amen.